Abstract

The work proposal submitted to the Fulbright Commission is meant to reinforce a wider academic project called WIP-Chile, recently awarded a FONDECYT grant for the period 2003-2004 (Fondecyt 1050769). FONDECYT is Chile’s National Fund on Science and Technology, the most important in terms of academic research. WIP-Chile participates as a partner of the World Internet Project (WIP) originated in 2000 at the Center for Communication Policy of UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles), conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Cole. WIP is basically a worldwide survey on Internet usage and non-usage throughout time, in order to assess the changes on how people behave and think the web. Some 30 countries participate in WIP, including three Latin American states –Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela. The project is supported by an international Advisory Committee with participation of experts from UCLA and the European Institute of the Media, among other institutions. At the time of writing, the team in Chile is processing a pilot study based on 600 cases, and its results will be tentatively compared with those obtained elsewhere. Fulbright support is required for a three-month stay of the applicant at UCLA’s Center of Communication Policy in order both to enhance the 2003-2004 workplan as well as the sustainability of WIP-Chile in the future. This would allow accomplishing the following objectives: • Discuss and compare in depth the results of the first year of WIP-Chile; • Compare the Chilean databases from 2003 with those from other countries attached to WIP; • Describe and evaluate the different methodological procedures used by WIP worldwide; • Study the latest trends on the academic study of the Internet, including its implications on communications policy worldwide; • Investigate on the impact of Internet usage on “traditional” mass media consumption; • Compare the problems of Internet usage and non-usage in developing countries vis-à-vis industrialised countries; • Build academic and professional networks for publishing, fund-rising, and academic co-operation; • Prepare an exhaustive First Year report summarising these aspects, according to the project’s timetable; • Correct and enrich the WIP-Chile workplan for 2004; • Prepare a long-term workplan for WIP-Chile beyond 2004, seeking its sustainability.